Student of the Year Award goes to Heritage Decorating apprentice - Members News - Blogs

Student of the Year Award goes to Heritage Decorating apprentice

Posted by Devereux Decorators on 2nd September 2010.

Chris Ryder with his trophies

A Leicestershire student is celebrating being named as Student of the Year at the Young Apprenticeship Awards held by Leicester College. Chris Ryder, who is an apprentice with Leicestershire based Devereux Decorators, received his award at the ceremony held at the College’s Freemans Common campus on Friday 25th June. Eighteen year old Chris has been working with the company since September 2006 after carrying out work experience in the June.

The Federation of Master Builders award was given in recognition of the skills that Chris has gained in painting & decorating, including hanging wallcoverings & paint finishes whilst working on a range of projects with Devereux, whose clients include English Heritage and the National Trust properties as well as private contracts. “I was delighted to receive the award,” comments Chris. “I’ve learned so much and the support from the college has been invaluable, helping me to make the most of the practical experience that I have gained working with the company.”

Mac Devereux-Batchelor, Contracts Director of Devereux was thrilled to see their newest apprentice doing so well. “Chris has shown a real aptitude for the work and we are so pleased to see that formally recognised,” he comments. “Much of our work is highly skilled and quite specialised so there is plenty still to learn and we are more than happy to support him as he continues his studies.”

Devereux Decorators work across the UK on a variety of beautiful homes, and historic projects. Chris has most recently been working in Belgrave Square in Mayfair where he was able to work alongside the team and see specialist techniques such as gilding and marbling first hand. He is currently working on a project at the Library of the famous National Treasure - Stowe House in Buckingham, which is undergoing major restoration works. The Managing Director of Linfords, (main building contractor entrusted with the £ 3.7m phase) says” It’s the kind of building that everyone involved in heritage restoration and crafts dreams of working on”. Later in the summer, Chris will be moving on to Jesus College at The University of Cambridge continuing with decorating the Master’s Lodge and The Fellows’ Dining Room.

Devereux Decorators decorate all over the UK from Leicester and London offices. Interior painting & exterior decorating - expert wallpapering, conservation and heritage decorators, working for private clients, interior designers & specialist builders.

Find Devereux Decorators in the Heritage Register here

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